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The UNSECURITY Podcast – Episode 77 Show Notes – Lots Going On

Keeping the show notes short again this week. We’ve been swamped here at FRSecure and SecurityStudio, so not a lot of time to recap what we’ve been up to.

Let’s just get to it, episode 77 show notes below…


SHOW NOTES – Episode 77

Date: Tuesday, April 28th, 2020

Episode 77 Topics

  • Opening
  • Catching Up (as per usual)
  • Remote Working and COVID-19 Stuff
  • Quick Zoom Update
  • Other Things
  • News
  • Wrapping Up – Shout outs
Opening

[Brad] Welcome back! This is episode 77 of the UNSECURITY Podcast, and I’m your host this week, Brad Nigh. Today is April 28th, and joining me this morning as usual is Evan Francen. Good morning.

[Evan] Evan says his “blah, blah, blah”.

[Brad] We have a jam packed show this week for sure, but before we jump in, let’s catch up quick. Lots going on.

[Evan] Yep. LOTS going on! Good things, but a helluva lot of good things!

Catching Up

Quick discussion about some of the cool things we’re doing.

[Brad] Good! Let’s shift gears now quick and talk about security remote workers. We’ve briefly touched on it over the last few weeks but as this appears to be becoming the “new norm”, I would like to spend some time dedicated to the topic.

[Evan] Yeah man! Sounds good.

Remote Working and COVID-19 Stuff

Discussion about many news articles, topics, announcements and such…

[Brad] First up, a news article titled “Malware Risks Triple on WFH Networks: Experts Offer Advice”

[Brad] Obviously this is bitsight so we know the limitations however I think in this use-case the data is valuable. We’ve got some other good resources and guidance to share, including:

[Evan] Yeah, these are all great resources that are worth looking at. I think our listeners will appreciate them all. Quick announcement, S2Me version two is releasing this week! It’s a limited release, but it’s a VERY good one! We’ll get into S2Me and how it works with S2Team to offer a unique (and what we think is a better) approach to securing the remote workforce.

[Brad] Cool. Should be a good show next week then!

Quick Zoom Update

[Brad] Zoom has been all over the news since the COVID-19 outbreak, and the stories have been all over the place. Thought we’d mention some of the latest developments. As a quick aside, we’ve touched on Zoom the last few weeks and it’s interesting that some of the other options have flown under the radar despite attacks that seem to be more severe.

And Zoom has released quite a few new security features, there’s this good write-up on Tech Republic titled “Zoom 5.0 Includes Security and Privacy Improvementshttps://www.techrepublic.com/article/zoom-5-0-is-coming-with-improved-security-features-heres-whats-new/

Other Things

[Brad] Like we said, there’s always a lot going on around here at FRSecure and SecurityStudio. Quick list of things:

  • FRSecure CISSP Mentor Program (we started this 11+ years before the COVID-19 pandemic)
  • Safety and Cybersecurity at Home 101 Webinar Series (Videos here).
  • SecurityStudio Partner Community (Join here).
  • The Daily inSANITY Check-in (Join here).

[Brad] Good conversation. Thank you Evan. Let’s do some news quick.

News

[Brad] Always plenty of things to talk about in the news, and here’s a few stories that caught my eye:

Wrapping Up – Shout outs

[Brad] That’s it. Episode 77 is a wrap. Thank you listeners! We hope you’ve enjoyed the show. Any quick shout outs for you Evan?

[Evan] Yes, I have two…

[Brad] Keep the questions and feedback coming. Send things to us by email at unsecurity@protonmail.com. If you’re the social type, socialize with us on Twitter, I’m @BradNigh, and Evan is @evanfrancen. Lastly, be sure to follow SecurityStudio (@studiosecurity) and FRSecure (@FRSecure) for more goodies.

That’s it! Talk to you all again next week!

The UNSECURITY Podcast – Episode 64 Show Notes – 3rd Party Risk

Here we are, already into the 4th week of January and this is the last show for the month.

Quick recap of last week because it was awesome!

On Saturday (1/18), we held our holiday party at Punch Bowl Social. FRSecure and SecurityStudio employees flocked in from all over the country (Nevada, Kentucky, Missouri, Florida, etc.) to celebrate together. We sort of took over the joint with 120+ people eating, drinking, singing karaoke, bowling, playing pool, and hanging out.

One of our core values is “work hard/play hard”, and Lord knows we are experts at both these things! The teams did incredible things in 2019 and every single person played a critical part in our success. It was so awesome to spend time with each other, celebrating (a great 2019) and looking forward to an even better year ahead (2020)! It was a great night!

We gathered everyone together on Monday (1/20) morning for our quarter end/year end meeting. There are no words to describe what these people did in 2019. There isn’t an adequate adjective. By every account, 2019 was a huge success. Not only in terms of dollars and cents, but more importantly in the impact we made on our industry and in people’s lives.

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Just a few highlights:

  • FRSecure has helped more than 1,000 organizations build and maintain better information security programs.
  • The CISSP Mentor Program helped 532 people learn better information security, secure better career options, and/or successfully pass their CISSP exam. UPDATE: We exceeded the entire 2019 enrollment within 24 hours of opening this year’s registration!
  • We gave more than 100 talks at conferences all over the United States.
  • SecurityStudio made great strides in helping organizations and people speak the same (information security language), including the release of the S2Me.
  • The companies grew at more than 40% again (top line), for the 10th consecutive year.

I could write an entire book about what was accomplished in 2019, and I’m speechless when I think about what we’ll do together this year (2020)!

The Minnetonka HQ office was full and buzzing on Monday! The rest of the week was filled with meetings, conversations, and security stuff. All icing on the cake.

Alright, on to the show notes. This is Brad’s show to lead and these (below) are his notes.


SHOW NOTES – Episode 64

Date: Monday, January 27th, 2020

Show Topics:

Our topics this week:

  • Opening
    • Catching Up
    • FRSecure Year End
    • SecurityStudio Year End
  • 3rd-Party/Vendor Risk Management
    • Let’s get literal.
    • A deep dive.
    • Seven “must haves”.
    • A warning (or two)
  • Next Week
    • Tips for talking to boards
    • I’m going to RSA this year and I already regret it
  • News
Opening

[Brad] Welcome back! This is episode 64 of the UNSECURITY Podcast, and I’m your host this week, Brad Nigh. Today is  January 27th, and joining me is my co-host, Evan Francen. Good morning Evan.

[Evan] Something energetic and uplifting I’m sure.

[Brad] We’ve got another great show planned for you this week, and we’ve already got some good topics to talk about next week. This week we’re going to cover a deep dive into 3rd-party (or vendor) risk management. Next week we’re going to cover tips for talking to boards and have a conversation about the RSA money grab. Don’t miss it! I’m guessing it could get controversial.

Before we get started, let’s recap last week quick.

  • Brad’s update(s)
  • Evan’s update(s)

[Brad] I wanted to take some time today talking about Vendor Risk Management and the difference between an audit based certification (SOC2, ISO, HITRUST) vs a risk assessment (S2Org or similar).

[Evan] Yeah man! Let’s do it!

3rd-Party/Vendor Risk Management

[Brad] You added stuff to my show notes! What gives man?

[Evan] Yeah, I couldn’t help myself. Hope you’re OK with it.

[Brad] What’s with “let’s get literal”?

Discussion…

[Brad] Let’s talk about the differences between audit based certification (SOC2, ISO, HITRUST, etc.) versus a risk assessment (S2Org or similar).

  • The fundamental differences
  • The positives and negatives to both approaches
  • At the end of the day, what should an organization be trying to accomplish with their Vendor Risk Management program
  • What should the vendor share/not share, how do they handle requests for more than they are comfortable sharing

Be sure to mention the new article (not yet posted), “Seven must-haves for effective third-party information security risk management”. You can get the free preview download by emailing us.

[Brad] Hopefully that was helpful to people working on both sides of Vendor Risk Management. Let’s do some news.

News

[Brad]

Always plenty of things to talk about in the news, and here’s a few stories that caught my eye this week:

Closing

[Brad] That’s it. Episode 64 is a wrap. Thank you to our listeners! Keep the questions and feedback coming. Send things to us by email at unsecurity@protonmail.com. If you’re the social type, socialize with us on Twitter, I’m @BradNigh and Evan is @evanfrancen. Lastly, be sure to follow SecurityStudio (@studiosecurity) and FRSecure (@FRSecure) for more goodies!

That’s it. Talk to you all again next week!

The UNSECURITY Podcast – Episode 63 Show Notes – Mission

I’m grateful to be back home. Two weeks in Cancun, Mexico where the sun was shining and the temperature was in the 80s. Now, I’m back in Minnesota where there’s a foot of snow on the ground and the temperature is in the single digits. I’m grateful to be back home because I’m with my family again. My FRSecure and SecurityStudio family!

THANK YOU to Brad and Ryan for doing holding down the fort!

OK, I was in Cancun to begin writing our next book. It’s “our” next book because Brad’s going to write his part and Ryan’s going to add a little flair too. The book is unofficially titled “Securing America” and will start to come together over the next couple of months. The (rough) outline looks like this so far:

  • Introduction
  • Information Security Operating System (ISOS)
    • Components
    • The Cycle
  • Securing America
    • Small Business
    • Local Government
    • Education
    • Home
  • The People Component
  • The Asset Component
  • The Control Component
  • The Process Component
  • The Measurement Component
  • The Journey – All Working Together
  • Starting NOW

If this book is anything like the first one (UNSECURITY), there’s likely to be some changes to the outline, but this is what we’ve got so far.

Alright. On to the show. This is episode 63 of the UNSECURITY Podcast. I’ll be hosting and these are my notes. Joining me in studio will be my co-host Brad Nigh and SecurityStudio’s very own Ryan Cloutier.

Let’s do this!

-Evan


SHOW NOTES – Episode 63

Date: Monday, January 20th, 2020

Show Topics:

Our topics this week:

  • Opening
    • Back Home
    • Book (Securing America) Status
    • What did I miss?
  • U.S. and Iran
    • Finishing the discussion from last week.
    • We’re not out of the woods.
  •  The “Mission” and CISSP Mentor Program
    • What is it?
    • Why do we care?
    • How can you join us?
  • News
Opening

[Evan] Hey UNSECURITY Podcast listeners! This is episode 62 and the date is January 20th, 2020. I’m Evan Francen, and it’s good to be back! I’m hosting today’s show, and joining me in studio is my friendly co-host Brad Nigh and my left-hand man Ryan Cloutier. Hey guys.

[Brad & Ryan] They’ll say “hi” or something.

[Evan] Did you guys catch that? I called Ryan my “left-hand man”. Of course you did, you guys read the show notes! You know why I called Ryan my “left-hand man”?

[Brad & Ryan] Stumped. Maybe.

[Evan] Well, I’ll tell you…

[Evan] Alright, I’m back home. It feels good to be back, and it couldn’t have been any better to come back to a bunch of smiling faces at our holiday party on Saturday! What did you guys think?

[Brad & Ryan] Sharing thoughts and such.

[Evan] We have a ton to cover today! Let’s catch-up quick. You guys cool with that?

Catching Up Discussion
  • Back home
    • Holiday Party
    • Q1/2020, Expectations
  • Book (Securing America) things
  • Did I miss anything?

[Evan] Like always, many good things to look forward too. Love you guys and love being back. Last week I had to run halfway through the show. We were talking about tensions between the United States and Iran and how it affects us all. There’s this talk of a cyberwar between us, and I just want to close the loop a little on the topic.

U.S. and Iran Discussion

[Evan] OK, the world’s not likely to end today, but we need to stay vigilant. Complacency and ignorance come with consequences. Switching gears now…

We talk about this mission at FRSecure and SecurityStudio. Brad, you have your take. Ryan, you have yours. I’ve certainly got mine too, but what is this “mission” and why is it important for our listeners to know about it?

Discussion about The “Mission” and CISSP Mentor Program

An open and honest discussion about our mission.

  • What is it?
  • Why do we care so much about it?
  • Are there ways for people to join us? If so, how?

The CISSP Mentor Program Registration is Open!

[Evan] Yes, it’s all about the mission! The theory is if you focus on the mission you’ll make money, but if you focus on the money, you’re certain to miss the mission. Love it! Alright, good talk. Let’s cover a few news stories, and wrap this thing up.

News

There’s always plenty of news in the information security industry. Here are a few stories that caught my eye recently:

Closing

[Evan] Wow. Lot’s going on and plenty of news to stay up on. I guess this is why they pay us the big buck, right?

This is the end of our show, and we close these things out pretty much the same way every week. Keep sending us your feedback, tips, of whatever else you’d like us to know at unsecurity@protonmail.com. If you have a suggested guest for us to reach out to, let us know that too.

If you’re the social type, socialize with us on Twitter, I’m Evan and you can find me @evanfrancen. Brad’s a cool cat, and you can find him @BradNigh. Ryan’s not to shabby himself, follow him at @CLOUTIERSEC.

That’s it! Talk to you all again next week!